3-day Wonder (3/13-16) - more info than you can possibly stand!

[Ricky's Girl]

Thanks you so much for a truly wonderful trip report. Like other posters have said, you made it feel like we were right there with you. I must say, you seem like a man I would be proud to know!

This morning I booked our first 4 night cruise for next March (on the Wonder!). I'm so excited - even more so after reading your report.

I do have a question. Is dinner the only time that dining locations are assigned? For breakfast and lunch are you free to go where-ever you please?

Thanks again!

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Yep. Breakfast and lunch are on your own, and there are plenty of options for sit-downs, buffets, counter service spots, not to mention 24-hour room service.

If you get hungry on a Disney cruise, it's your own fault!

 

[Disney Sweetie]

Pam, we were in Purvis just a couple of weeks ago - my son LOVES Movie Star (and as I've stated, I've never met a buffet I didn't like), and it's some of the best country cookin' in the state.

How neat is that!! My daughter Katrina, works at Movie Star, but is in the kitchen. You more than likely did not see her. Maybe we need to meet there sometime when you are in the area! We could always bore our spouses with the Disney talk!! LOL

Pam

 

[outlander]

I am so glad I stumbled upon your TR. I just finished reading it 'cover to cover' and must say, it is one of the best I've ever read. Thank you for so eloquently sharing your thoughts and experiences with us all!
Well done!

 

[ScrapperKimmyD]

I hope you don't mind indulging me for just a moment.

What is it about the seas? From the icy north Atlantic to the vast expanses of the Pacific; to the breadth of the Indian Ocean and the polar Artic; to the warmth of our own Caribbean and Gulf, the seas were a mystery to the ancients. I think the seas hold a mystery to me, even today.

I woke up early after our first night in our stateroom, quietly dressed, and crept out on the "secret deck," the deck 7 aft overlook. It wasn't supposed to be unlocked until 7 a.m., but it was open nonetheless. There was no land in sight. I pulled up a deck chair to the rail and gazed toward the horizon. The wake of our ship churned the water and offered up a muted roar.

Here, I thought, is balm for all the worry and bustle of the world. It may be true for all mariners. Certainly it is true - for me, anyway - on this most perfect of ships, on a perfect morning. Even though the Wonder stretched and throbbed and pressed forward, I was struck by the vastness around me ... no matter how large the vessel, the sea is always larger.

I was reminded of the old French fisherman's prayer ... "Dear God, protect me. The sea is so big and my boat is so small."

And as I sat, I was treated to this:

What a sweet epiphany I experienced. I felt as though this sunrise was just for me.

I caught myself singing under my breath (and being thankful no one else was around). It was an old hymn, which I found especially poignant this early dawn:

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

I went back to the cabin. The girls were still asleep. A busy day was ahead. But I felt that this moment, this precious time alone (ok, I don't think I was totally alone) was the reason I was fortunate enough to participate in this cruise.

I trust you find your special moment, too, and that it is transcendent as mine.

You folks sure are gracious. I knew that here, of all places, I'd find others who "get it."

I made me cry, too. Pathetic.

You've made my CRY and my kleenex box is empty!!!!

I have so enjoyed your TR and I'm hoping to get my DH to read it, too. He needs a bit of your attitude before we leave in November.

Thanks so much for writing it. It was very sad to see it end.

 

[mrs_hower726]

Thank you so much for your insight on your vacation! My DH and I are doing the 3-day WDW and the 4-day cruise in 23 days (our first vacation ever). I'm glad to know that your family managed well with the indoor cabin, we were warned by my in-laws to get one with a window but finances wouldn't allow it. I also do agree that 4 days on land is best for first-timers. I'm having a really difficult time trying to figure out how to do all 4 parks in 3 days.

I've heard that Nassau isn't the best place and I will be making a copy of the walking tour. For me, I'm so excited that I get to be in the Bahamas PERIOD I don't really care if it's not "perfect". I also loved the picture of the sunset, I think i'll have to make it a priority to get up early one morning to see it. It looks so peaceful and relaxing, two things I am really looking for on the cruise portion of the trip.

Lastly, I want to thank your son for what he does for this country.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Chrissy, I'm personally very grateful that y'all are going to be able to take a real, live vacation! Y'all will do just fine with an inside cabin.

I think you have to approach WDW with the up-front knowledge that you just can't do it all in three days. It calls for some prioritizing, especially if you've never been. I'd heartily encourage you to do as much pre-planning as possible before hitting WDW, and you've found the place for superb on-line advice. I'd also recommend the Passporter - my choice if I had to pick just ONE travel resource book. I like the Unofficial Guide, too. I'm guessing that there will be one park that doesn't appeal to you quite as much as others, and I'd save it for the afternoon or evening of your third day, picking out the two or three attractions you just can't miss. Getting to the parks EARLY is the key to seeing as much as possible. When we take guests to WDW, which we frequently do, I do commando touring. They gripe, but thank me later. WDW is for busting your chops; the cruise is for kicking back.

The cruise will take care of itself. You can just show up and have a ball. Do take the time to get Palo reservations and shore excursions, if you're interested in those options. Nassau is routinely dissed, but if you approach it knowing it is a tourist destination and consequently "tacky" in some ways, your expectations can match the reality. As I've stated, to enjoy Nassau you've just gotta think outside the Bay Street and Atlantis boxes.

Finally, don't let circumstances dictate the quality of your vacation. It will be just as good (or bad) as you choose for it to be. It is a matter of the mind, and of the heart.

 

[mrs_hower726]

Chrissy, I'm personally very grateful that y'all are going to be able to take a real, live vacation! Y'all will do just fine with an inside cabin.

I think you have to approach WDW with the up-front knowledge that you just can't do it all in three days. It calls for some prioritizing, especially if you've never been. I'd heartily encourage you to do as much pre-planning as possible before hitting WDW, and you've found the place for superb on-line advice. I'd also recommend the Passporter - my choice if I had to pick just ONE travel resource book. I like the Unofficial Guide, too. I'm guessing that there will be one park that doesn't appeal to you quite as much as others, and I'd save it for the afternoon or evening of your third day, picking out the two or three attractions you just can't miss. Getting to the parks EARLY is the key to seeing as much as possible. When we take guests to WDW, which we frequently do, I do commando touring. They gripe, but thank me later. WDW is for busting your chops; the cruise is for kicking back.

The cruise will take care of itself. You can just show up and have a ball. Do take the time to get Palo reservations and shore excursions, if you're interested in those options. Nassau is routinely dissed, but if you approach it knowing it is a tourist destination and consequently "tacky" in some ways, your expectations can match the reality. As I've stated, to enjoy Nassau you've just gotta think outside the Bay Street and Atlantis boxes.

Finally, don't let circumstances dictate the quality of your vacation. It will be just as good (or bad) as you choose for it to be. It is a matter of the mind, and of the heart.

My DH keeps reminding me that we won't be able to accomplish everything in 3 days and his attitude is to wing it. I did buy the unofficial guide a while ago and I haven't touched it yet (that will happen once the thesis is done).

We did book some excursions during the cruise portion. We have reservations for Palo the first evening on ship as well as snorkeling and parasailing on CC and a scenic tour of Nassau.

Hopefully you can answer a couple of questions for me. Based off of what I read, we will need two dress outfits? One for Palo and one for the last evening?

I know this sounds like a very silly question but with CC and Nassau can you enter the ship once you dock for a nap or a meal or are you restricted to where you are?

Another question I have is currency. I set up the account for the cruiseline and at WDW we can use debit cards/cash. What kind of currency do you recommend for Nassau?

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Lemme see if I can help.

Regarding "winging it" - you can at least look at the attractions at the park by winging it, but I'm telling ya - WDW doesn't lend itself to a casual, "let's just check things out" excursion, especially if this is your first time. I remember a friend visiting the parks for their first time and came home talking about "Epcot hell" - just wandering around, trying to find an attraction that had a wait of less than an hour. Consequently, she experienced very little but frustration. Trust Tony on this one. At least have SOME sense of what you want to see, and in what order. You will be grateful.

I like your shore excursions. We didn't snorkel at CC this last time, but folks say that the fish population has grown significantly over the last few years. One of these days I'm gonna parasail. I struggle with heights, and I think this would be a good "embrace the horror" experience for me.

Since you read my endless trip report, you can get my take on dress up night. Palo tends to be dressier than eating at one of the regular rotation restaurants on the dress up night. I'd just carry one outfit for both nights, or maybe do a little mixing and matching with accessories, blouses, etc. (Lord help me. I answered that just like a girl. ) Don't fret too much over the dress issue. You'll see all sorts of dress. My deal is ... since a Disney cruise is one big "show," dressing up some when appropriate makes you part of the show itself. Kinda like being on stage, in a nice way, and adding to the overall ambience of the evening.

When in Nassau and CC, you can come and go from the ship as you please. You'll just pass through security each time, but it's not a hassle. For instance, we made it a point in Nassau to be back on board for lunch - why pay for something in town that you've already paid for?

Finally - Bahamians are all too happy to accept American currency, since the exchange rate is dollar for dollar. You may want to ask for change in Bahamian currency, if you like that sort of thing for souvenirs. You can use credit/debit cards easily, but if you visit the straw market, which is an entity unto itself, cash is what you'll need, along with some agressive negotiation skills. That's not for everyone, but I find it exhilirating.

Gosh. Y'all are gonna have so much fun.

 

[ScrapperKimmyD]

... I'd just carry one outfit for both nights, or maybe do a little mixing and matching with accessories, blouses, etc. (Lord help me. I answered that just like a girl. )

But that's what we love about you! You seem to be in touch with your softer side - how else could you make us CRY?!?

 

[Dreamfinder2]

But that's what we love about you! You seem to be in touch with your softer side - how else could you make us CRY?!?

I *think* I'll take that as a compliment.

I can assure you I'm resolutely heterosexual, secure in my manhood, and something of a crybaby over certain things. Go figure.

 

[ScrapperKimmyD]

I *think* I'll take that as a compliment.

I can assure you I'm resolutely heterosexual, secure in my manhood, and something of a crybaby over certain things. Go figure.

And that, my friends, is my kind of man! Good thing I married one, eh?

 

[Mozart]

I can assure you I'm resolutely heterosexual, secure in my manhood, and something of a crybaby over certain things. Go figure.

Hmmm...Resolutely heterosexual...check.
Secure in your manhood..check.
Something of a crybaby...interesting.

Now all you have left to do is to admit that you like to dress well and look good, and we get to officially describe you as a metrosexual.

Come...join us...it's fun to spend more money on clothes than your wife.

 

[OceanLvr]

Vice President of the Club here Mozart...

 

[ScrapperKimmyD]

Vice President of the Club here Mozart...

I'm assuming Ryan Seacrest is the president.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Hmmm...Resolutely heterosexual...check.
Secure in your manhood..check.
Something of a crybaby...interesting.

Now all you have left to do is to admit that you like to dress well and look good, and we get to officially describe you as a metrosexual.

Come...join us...it's fun to spend more money on clothes than your wife.

Well. There are some photos including me in this thread, so you can draw your own conclusions. I spend money on clothes only when something worn out has to be replaced. Disney can take so much out of our budget that it's a miracle we aren't wearing garbage bags.

I do try to keep my crybaby moments private, tho. Am I in danger of TMI here?

 

[tksbaskets]

No, carry on my DIS friend. I'm quite enjoying the thread even though the TR is finished!

 

[goofygirl64]

HI DREAMFINDER2
What are your top ten table service theme park restaurants? Your review and opinons will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

I probably should post this over on the restaurant boards, but here ya are (and I started this thread anyway). In order of preference, my hit parade:

1 - Hollywood Brown Derby
2 - Bistro de Paris
3 - Le Cellier
4 - Chefs de France
5 - Restaurant Marrakesh
6 - Liberty Tree Tavern
7 - Coral Reef
8 - Tusker House
9 - 50's Prime Time Cafe
10 - Crystal Palace

My disclaimer: These represent what I think are the best, in terms of theme park food. In other words, I'm comparing these to food in other theme parks, and while I don't think I'm compromising expectations, it is, after all, theme park food. (I will admit that Mythos at Islands of Adventure would make this list). I sort of struggled with first and second place, too - those two are just about interchangable.

Goofygirl64, I can go into more detail in a PM, if you're interested.

 

[Mozart]

1 - Hollywood Brown Derby
2 - Bistro de Paris
3 - Le Cellier
4 - Chefs de France
5 - Restaurant Marrakesh
6 - Liberty Tree Tavern
7 - Coral Reef
8 - Tusker House
9 - 50's Prime Time Cafe
10 - Crystal Palace

Hope you don't mind me chiming in on this, but I absolutely agree with your #1 and #2 choices. I would definitely place Brown Derby as the #1 restaurant in the theme parks.

I would have to disagree with Coral Reef being on the list. I did not have a good dining experience there. And I think you forgot Cinderella's Royal Table.

Just my 2 cents.